WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Nations released a report Tuesday showing that the world’s fastest‑growing urban centres are shifting away from traditional megacities, with Africa and South‑East Asia adding a combined 19 million residents each year — roughly two Londons annually.

The report highlights Lagos, Nigeria, projected to surpass 30 million inhabitants by 2035, and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on track for 20 million by 2030. In South‑East Asia, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta rank among the top five fastest‑growing metros, each seeing annual population inflows of 1.2‑1.5 percent, far outpacing the 0.8 percent growth of established hubs such as New York.

“Rapid urbanisation reshapes demand for housing, energy and logistics,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, senior economist at the World Bank. “Investors who continue to focus on legacy markets risk missing the upside in infrastructure bonds and real‑estate funds targeting these emerging megacities.” The report notes that construction activity in the highlighted regions is expected to rise by 6.4 percent annually through 2028.

Governments across Africa and Southeast Asia are rolling out fiscal incentives to attract foreign capital, including tax holidays for green‑building projects and streamlined permitting for utility upgrades. However, analysts warn that weak regulatory frameworks and land‑rights disputes could erode returns, prompting the International Monetary Fund to urge tighter governance standards as part of its 2024–2026 lending program.

Investment firm Global Capital Partners recently launched a $1.2 billion fund dedicated to “next‑gen urban assets,” citing the United Nations data as a catalyst. Portfolio manager Luis Ortega said, “We see a structural shift: the next wave of global consumption will be driven by these fast‑growing cities, and that translates into long‑term yield opportunities for patient capital.”

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